Police bodycam footage obtained by Fox News [1] shows two officers from the Butler Township Police Department attempting to intercept Thomas Matthew Crooks on a roof moments before he allegedly tried to assassinate former President Trump at a campaign rally last month.
Police Bodycam – Someone explain to me like I’m three years old the wooden pallets that can be used like a ladder up against the building! pic.twitter.com/HMyrD7u1D1 [2]
— Karli Bonne’ 🇺🇸 (@KarluskaP) August 8, 2024 [3]
The video footage captures the officers’ unsuccessful efforts to stop Crooks before he fired his DPMS AR-15 rifle, striking former President Trump in the ear, resulting in the death of Corey Comparatore and injuries to two others.
One of the officers is heard saying, “F—— this close, bro. Dude he turned around on me,” in the bodycam video released Thursday.
The footage shows an officer lifting another officer onto the roof where Crooks was positioned, about 12 feet above the ground. Crooks pointed his weapon at the officer climbing the building before losing his grip and falling approximately eight feet to the ground, spraining his ankle, as reported by Butler Township Manager Thomas Knights.
The video then shows Crooks being surrounded by officers after being fatally shot by counter snipers.
Another officer can be heard saying, “I’m f—— p—ed. We couldn’t find him.”
According to Butler Township PD Lt. Matthew Pearson, the officer on the roof was unable to draw his weapon while hanging from the building.
Seconds later, Crooks fired his weapon, grazing Trump’s right ear. Corey Comparatore, a heroic rally attendee who shielded his family from danger, tragically lost his life during the incident.